Current-transmitting coupling between electric lines

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a leaf spring clip for currenttransmitting coupling between electric lines. The leaf spring is housed in a plastic casing, and is designed so that its free end can engage a based wire and hold said wire against another portion of the spring.

United States Patent lnventor Oswald Willy Thorsman Nykoplng, Sweden Appl. No. 837,007 Filed June 25, 1969 Patented Jan. 4, 1972 Assignee AB Thorsman 8: Co.

Nykoplng, Sweden Priority June 25, 1968 Sweden 8551/68 CURRENT-TRANSMITTING COUPLING BETWEEN ELECTRIC LINES 10 Claims, 13 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 339/19, 339/95 D, 339/242 Int. Cl H011 9/08 Field of Search 339/19, 22, 95, 96, 97, 24 L, 258; 24/230 S, 230 SC, 230 SL, 230 F [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,713,668 7/1955 Gibilisco 339/95 0 2,720,634 10/1955 Hart 339/95 D 2,780,791 2/1957 Morschel.... 339/198 3,324,447 6/1967 Pistey 339/95 D FOREIGN PATENTS 1,285,589 12/1968 Germany 339/95 D Primary Examiner-Richard E. Moore Assistant Examiner-Robert A. Hafer Att0rney.l0hns0n, Marcus & Wray ABSTRACT: The present invention relates to a leaf spring clip for current-transmitting coupling between electric lines. The leaf spring is housed in a plastic casing, and is designed so that its free end can engage a based wire and hold said wire against another portion of the spring.

1111511151 111 41912 3.1633148 SHEET 1 [1F 4 FIG-5 FIGS Oswald Willy Thorsman INVENTOR PATENT AGENTS 7 slsasll xe PATENIED JAN 41972 PATENTEDJAN 41972 SHEET ll 0F 4 E h T CURRENT-TRANSMITTING COUPLING BETWEEN Y ELECTRIC LINES This invention relates to a device for current-transmitting coupling between electric lines.

The invention has as its primary object to produce asimple coupling means with a very simple and rapidly performed but nevertheless safe'locking of the line ends, for replacing the relatively complicated coupling means at which the line ends are locked by screw connections and the coupling of which is very tedious.

The device according to the invention comprises more precisely a casing, preferably of plastics, which is provided with holes for introducing into the casing stripped-off line ends, and at least one spring mounted in the casing for locking the line ends in their introduced position and for transmitting current between them. The invention is substantially characterized in that the holes are spaced guide passages, one passage for each line end, and that the spring shaped as a leaf spring so is bent that at least one free end by the elasticity of the spring locks a line end directed past the free end, said spring end having a direction such as to facilitate the introduction of the line end past the spring end but to lock the line end against being pulled out, and that every free spring end arranged for locking the line end is adapted to be moved out of its locking position with the line end, against the action of the spring elasticity by means of a preferably resilient element preferably made of plastics, said element not conducting current and being mounted on the casing so as to actuated from the outside. The device according to the invention, thus, allows for a very simple and easy coupling between the line ends. The spring which upon the introduction of a line end is bent aside catches hold of the line when the latter is pulled in the direction out of the casing. The spring, besides, acts as a contact means between line ends introduced. Furthermore, by the guide passages in the casing it can be ensured that the locking places of the line ends are located at such a depth in the casing that no stripped-off line portion is located outside of the casing.

Due to the fact that according to the invention every free spring end, which is provided for locking the line end, can be moved out of the position, in which it is locked with the line end, against the action of the spring elasticity by means of a preferably resilient element preferably made of plastics, which element does not conduct current and is so mounted on the casing that it can be actuated from the outside thereof, it is possible to release line ends secured by the spring. Hereby also lines with a very small diameter simply can be introduced into locking position by moving aside the spring end prior to the introduction of the thin line end. In the case of more rigid lines the line end itself moves aside the spring end. Further characterizing features of the present invention become evident from the attached claims as well as from the following description, which refers to the accompanying drawings showing some embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. la and lb show in a side view and in an end view a first embodiment, and FIG. 1c shows a spring comprised in said embodiment seen from the left in FIG. la.

FIGS. 2-5 show a second embodiment of the invention whereof FIGS. 2a, b, c and d separately show a casing comprised in the device in a side view, plan view and end view from the left in FIG. 2a and an end view, respectively, from the right in FIG. 2a, FIG. 3 shows in a plan view a spring comprised in the device, FIGS. 4a and b show in a side view and plan view, respectively, an element comprised in the device for actuating the spring, and FIG. 5 shows in a section an assembly drawing of the details shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the element shown in FIG. 4. FIGS. 7 and 8 show in a perspective view two different variants of the device shown in FIGS. 2-5.

FIG. 9 shows in a section a further embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show in a section corresponding to FIG. 9 two different'variants of the embodiment shown in last-mentioned Figure.

FIG. 12 shows in a side view how two springs can be designed and arranged in a casing not shown in the Figure.

FIGS. 13a, b and c, finally,.show in a perspective view how devices according to the invention can be coupled together. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 comprises a box-shaped casing 1 preferably made of plastics, in the left-hand cast-through portion 2 of which are drilled four bores or guide passages 3 to the side of each other for introducing therein stripped-off line ends (not shown). In the right-hand hollow space of the casing is placed a leaf spring 4 whereafter subsequent to said placing the short side 5 of the casing can be'secured on the casing in a suitable way. The leaf spring 4 is substantially U-shaped, the shown lower leg 6 being bent inwards and obliquely upwards against the upper leg 7. The lower leg 6, as appears from FIG. 1c, is slotted from its free end down to the bending whereby spaced resilient tongues 8 are formed which are aligned with the respective guide passage 3. When a line end is introduced through a guide passage, the end bends aside the elastic spring tongue 8 bent in the same direction as the direction of introduction and is firmly established between the tongue and the upper leg 7.

Owing to the design of the spring tongue the line end is safely retained in its locking position. As a matter of fact, if the line is pulled in a direction out of the casing, the spring tongue catches a safe hold at the line end. In view of the relatively long guide passages, in combination with the design of the spring, the lines may have relatively long stripped-off end portions without risk that the stripped-off portion will be located outside of the insulating guide passage.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-5 differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 mainly by the arrangement of an element adapted to actuate the locking of the leaf spring. Also this embodiment comprises a box-shaped casing designated by 11, with a cast-through portion 12 and provided with guide passages 13. The casing is shown separately in FIGS. 2a-2d. The short side of the casing opposite to the guide passages is open, and the casing, furthermore, is on 'its upper side provided with longitudinal slots 14 extending from a transverse bar 15 located onthe upper edge at the open short side of the casing all the way to a point near the cast portion 12. The bar has on its lower side recesses 25-aligning with the respective slot 14. FIG. 3 shows seen from above a leaf spring 15 constructed for this casing. Said spring seen in a side view has substantially the same sectionas the leaf'spring shown in FIG. 1, but in addition to the bent lower leg portion slotted into resilient tongues also the upper leg is slotted to form elastic tongues 18. Said tongues 18 are narrower than the tongues 17, and through the slots 19 forming the tongues 18 the tongues 17 are accessible from above. FIGS. 4a and b showin a side view and plane view, respectively, the element 20which is adapted to actuate the tongues 17. The element preferably is made of plastics and comprises. in this shown embodiment keylike arms 22 perpendicularly projecting from a plate 21. The keys 22 are of such a width that they extend through the slots 19. The element 20 is assembled with the leaf spring 17 in such a manner that the keys 22 are fitted into the slots 19 and the plate 21 abuts to the right-hand side of FIG. 3. This package thereafter is introduced through the open short side of the casing whereby a stop 23 at the front end of the keys 22 is caused to abut to the inside of the casing before the slots 19, and the lower surface of the keys abuts to the tongues 17. The introduction is affiliated by the bow-shaped portion 24 and the recesses 25 into which that portion of the keys is inserted which is located closest to the plate 21. In inserted state, the plate 21 covers the open short side of the casing. FIG. 5 shows the embodiment in assembled state. By pressing down a key 22 the underlying spring tongue 17 is pressed downwards, thereby rendering it possible to remove the line locked by this tongue out of the casing. By depressing a key 22 and thereby the corresponding spring tongue 17 it also is possibleto introduce past the spring tongue and to lock after the release of the key such line ends which are not sufficiently rigid for beingable at their introduction by themselves to bend aside the spring tongue 17.

FIG. 6 shows in a section another embodiment of a key-arm. The key-arms projecting from a corresponding plate 21 are here provided with a pushbutton 26.

FIG. 7 shows in a somewhat schematic way a variant of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-5. The entire upper surface of the casing, or only that portion which covers the space for the leaf spring, may here constitute a cover for the casing which is mounted on the casing in a suitable way. In the slots of the cover may be inserted, for example, loose bar elements 27 as a variant of the above key-arms 22, which bar elements 27 are at both ends provided with stops similar to the stop 23 shown in FIG. 4a and hereby are retained in place by the leaf spring as described above. The bar elements 27 alternatively also may be hinged on the casing. FIG. 7 also illustrates in a schematic way an embodiment in which the cover forms a side of an outer casing which can be pushed onto the casing like a casing of a matchbox. In a further variant of the embodiment schematically shown in FIG. 7 the cover may be hinged about a joint after the edge at the guide passages or an opposite edge.

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment comprising a casing adapted to be divided, the upper part being adapted to be hinged upwards about a joint after an edge as shown.

In all of the above embodiments the guide passages, though not shown, may be provided with or designed such as to include guide surfaces for ensuring correct introduction of the line ends. The cross section of the guide passage may, for example, successively decrease inwardly and terminate in an inside opening which eccentrically so is located in relation to the outside opening that the line end is given the desired direction.

In FIG. 9 is shown an embodiment in which guide passages 29 for the line ends are arranged on two opposite sides of the casing 28. Also the spring 30 shown is given a different shape. It is so S-shaped that the bend free end portions 31 and 32 of the S are located in the extension of the guide passages and are directed away therefrom. At this embodiment is shown a successively tapering of the guide passages 29 so as correctly to direct the line ends to the free ends of the leaf spring.

FIG. shows an embodiment similar to that shown in FIG. 9. However, this embodiment comprises keys 33 actuating the ends of the leaf spring so as to move the spring ends out of the engagement with inserted line ends. The keys shown are provided with stops 34 for retaining the keys in place in the slots cut through the casing. The keys, however, may, for example, also be hinged on the casing.

FIG. 11 shows another embodiment much the same as that shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, with guide passages provided on the opposite sides of the casing. The leaf spring 35 as well as the key 36, however, are of a different design. The spring is substantially U-shaped, the opening being directed perpendicular to the guide passages 37 and the legs being bent inwardly towards each other and away from the guide passages. The key 36 is a rocking ann mounted between the free ends of the legs. At this embodiment opposite guide passages may preferably so be ofiset laterally in relation to each other that the line ends introduced from opposite sides can overlap without contacting each other. The free spring ends, furthermore, may have rectangular indentations from the free end some distance downwards and in line with the guide passages. Instead of the key 36 shown, for example, also a key similar to that shown in FIG. 10 may be provided.

In FIG. 12 is shown a device with two leaf springs. However, only the springs are shown and they were chosen so as to have a section corresponding to the springs shown in FIGS. 1-5. The springs are mounted for guide passages at two opposite sides of the casing.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-9 (as well as in the embodiment indicated in FIG. 12) only two opposite guide passages have been shown by the sections laid. This may be the case, but also a greater number of guide passages may be arranged in pairs opposite each other within the same coupling device.

Especially in the case of several guide passages arranged in pairs one or both end portions of the leaf spring may be slit open, as for example shown in FIGS. l-5, and the elements adapted to actuate the spring ends may, for example, so be designed that they, in addition to said actuation, also relative one another insulate leaf spring tongues, as is the case, for example, at the embodiments shown in FIGS. [-8.

FIGS. 13a, b and c, finally, show different ways of coupling together the device according to the invention to form blocks or so-called terminal boxes (FIGS. 12a and b) or so-called terminal bars. (FIG. 13). This can be achieved, for example, by arranging dovetail guides or the like on a suitable side of the casing.

A coupling device according to the present invention has, as it should appear from what is described above and shown in the drawings, a very wide field of application. It may be used as a so-called top terminal, and it also may be used in different electric apparatus, such as for example switches. It also may be used, for example, in boxes, particularly in the form of devices coupled together to form so-called terminal boxes. It can be applied to low-voltage as well as to high-voltage lines.

The invention may be varied within its scope beyond the disclosure given in connection with the exemplifying embodiments. The number of guide passages and of the slotted tongues may be varied optionally. It is not necessary, either, that the spring-actuating elements where they are provided must project outside of the casing. They are also accessible when they are laid-in in the casing, for example by a nail or a suitable tool. At the elements shown in FIGS. 2-5, furthermore, an elastic plate preferably of plastics may be provided so as to cover the projecting key portions. Furthermore, for controlling the correct placing or the line ends an inspection hole may be provided at a suitable place.

What I claim is:

1. An electrical connector including current-transmitting coupling between electric lines, comprising a casing, preferably of plastics, a plurality of side-by-side spaced-apart guide passages in said casing for introducing into the casing stripped-off line ends, there being one such guide passage for each line end, a leaf spring mounted in the casing for locking the line ends in their introduced position as well as for transmitting current therebetween, said leaf spring having slits extending inwardly from a first free terminal end thereof to form a number of spaced elastic tongues corresponding to the number of the guide passages, one tongue being located in each guide passage and lying behind the guide passages in the introductory direction of the line ends, said free terminal end of the spring in the respective passages sloping inwardly thereinto thereby facilitating the introduction of the line end past said free spring end but locking the line end against being pulled out when installed thereon, said leaf spring being substantially U-shaped with the opening being directed towards entry into the respective guide passages, one of the legs of the U-shape being longer than the other and bent inwardly toward the other with its free end abutting against the other leg, said bent portions comprising the slitted free end of the leaf spring with the line end, in locked position, being inserted between said free end and said other leg, said other leg having further slits extending inwardly from the free terminal end thereof providing further tongues narrower in width than the other tongues, said bar elements extending through the slots between said further tongues, and an element, not conducting current, mounted in the casing and actuatable from the outside of the casing to move, on actuation, said free end of the leaf spring out of the locking position with the line end against the action of the spring elasticity, said element comprising a bar element in the casing for each of said tongues, said bar elements abutting the respective tongues adjacent the free end thereof and causing, upon pressure applied to a portion thereof exteriorly of the casing, the respective tongue to move out of the locking position.

2. An electrical connector according to claim 1 characterized in that the bar elements are key shaped and include means transversely connecting the same at an end thereof remote from the guide passages providing an element assembled as a unit with elastic keys.

3. An electrical connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the means joining the keys in transverse direction to the length thereof comprises a plate oriented perpendicular to the key-shaped bars, said plate forming an insulating side for the casing opposite to that side where the guide passages are arranged.

4. An electrical connector according to claim 1 characterized in that an elastic plate is arranged above that part of the bar elements which projects outside of the casing.

5. An electrical connector according to claim 1 characterized in that the bar elements are arranged loosely and provided with stops which by the tongues of said one leg are held pressed against the side of the casing.

6. An electrical connector according to claim 1 characterized in that the bar elements are articulated on the casing.

7. An electrical connector according to claim 1 characterized in that at least that portion of the casing which is provided with bar elements and located above the leaf spring constitutes a cover adapted to be secured on the casing.

8. An electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that said cover on the casing side opposite to the guide passages is hinged.

9. An electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that the cover is included as a part of an outer casing adapted to be pushed over said casing.

10. An electrical connector including current-transmitting coupling between electric lines, comprising a casing,

preferably of plastics, a plurality of side-by-side spaced-apart guide passages in said casing and arranged on opposite sides thereof for introducing into the casing stripped-off line ends, there being one such guide passage for each line end, two leaf springs mounted within the casing for locking the line ends in their introduced position as well as for transmitting current therebetween, each of said leaf springs being substantially U- shaped and abutting each other at the bottom of the U, the legs of said springs being directed outwardly against the respective guide passages, said leaf springs having slits extending inwardly from a first free terminal end thereof to form a number of spaced elastic tongues corresponding to the number of the guide passages, one tongue being located in each guide passage and lying behind the guide passages in the introductory direction of the line ends, said free terminal end of the spring in the respective passages sloping inwardly thereinto thereby facilitating the introduction of the line end past said free spring end but locking the line end against being pulled out when installed thereon, and an element, not conducting current, mounted in the casing and actuatable from the outside of the casing to move, on actuation, said free end of the leaf spring out of the locking position with the line end against the action of the spring elasticity, said element comprising a bar element in the casing for each of said tongues, said bar elements abutting the respective tongues adjacent the free end thereof and causing, upon pressure applied to a portion thereof exteriorly of the casing, the respective tongue to move out of the locking position. 

1. An electrical connector including current-transmitting coupling between electric lines, comprising a casing, preferably of plastics, a plurality of side-by-side spaced-apart guide passages in said casing for introducing into the casing strippedoff line ends, there being one such guide passage for each line end, a leaf spring mounted in the casing for locking the line ends in their introduced position as well as for transmitting current therebetween, said leaf spring having slits extending inwardly from a first free terminal end thereof to form a number of spaced elastic tongues corresponding to the number of the guide passages, one tongue being located in each guide passage and lying behind the guide passages in the introductory direction of the line ends, said free terminal end of the spring in the respective passages sloping inwardly thereinto thereby facilitating the introduction of the line end past said free spring end but locking the line end against being pulled out when installed thereon, said leaf spring being substantially U-shaped with the opening being directed towards entry into the respective guide passages, one of the legs of the U-shape being longer than the other and bent inwardly toward the other with its free end abutting against the other leg, said bent portions comprising the slitted free end of the leaf spring with the line end, in locked position, being inserted between said free end and said other leg, said other leg having further slits extending inwardly from the free terminal end thereof providing further tongues narrower in width than the other tongues, said bar elements extending through the slots between said further tongues, and an element, not conducting current, mounted in the casing and actuatable from the outside of the casing to move, on actuation, said free end of the leaf spring out of the locking position with the line end against the action of the spring elasticity, said element comprising a bar element in the casing for each of said tongues, said bar elements abutting the respective tongues adjacent the free end thereof and causing, upon pressure applied to a portion thereof exteriorly of the casing, the respective tongue to move out of the locking position.
 2. An electrical connector according to claim 1 characterized in that the bar elements are key shaped and include means transversely connecting the same at an end thereof remote from the guide passages providing an element assembled as a unit with elastic keys.
 3. An electrical connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the means joining the keys in transverse direction to the length thereof comprises a plate oriented perpendicular to the key-shaped bars, said plate forming an insulating side for the casing opposite to that side where the guide passages are arranged.
 4. An electrical connector according to claim 1 characterized in that an elastic plate is arranged above that part of the bar elements which projects outside of the casing.
 5. An electrical connector according to claim 1 characterized in that the bar elements are arranged loosely and provided with stops which by the tongues of said one leg are held pressed against the side of the casing.
 6. An electrical connector according to claim 1 characterized in that the bar elements are articulated on the casing.
 7. An electrical connector according to claim 1 characterized in that at least that portion of the casing which is provided with bar elements and located above the leaf spring constitutes a cover adapted to be secured on the casing.
 8. An electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that said cover on the casing side opposite to the guide passages is hinged.
 9. An electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that the cover is included as a part of an outer casing adapted to be pushed over said casing.
 10. An electrical connector including current-transmitting coupling between electric lines, comprising a casing, preferably of plastics, a plurality of side-by-side spaced-apart guide passages in said casing and arranged on opposite sides thereof for introducing into the casing stripped-off line ends, there being one such guide passage for each line end, two leaf springs mounted within the casing for locking the line ends in their introduced position as well as for transmitting current therebetween, each of said leaf springs being substantially U-shaped and abutting each other at the bottom of the U, the legs of said springs being directed outwardly against the respective guide passages, said leaf springs having slits extending inwardly from a first free terminal end thereof to form a number of spaced elastic tongues corresponding to the number of the guide passages, one tongue being located in each guide passage and lying behind the guide passages in the introductory direction of the line ends, said free terminal end of the spring in the respective passages sloping inwardly thereinto thereby facilitating the introduction of the line end past said free spring end but locking the line end against being pulled out when installed thereon, and an element, not conducting current, mounted in the casing and actuatable from the outside of the casing to move, on actuation, said free end of the leaf spring out of the locking position with the line end against the action of the spring elasticity, said element comprising a bar element in the casing for each of said tongues, said bar elements abutting the respective tongues adjacent the free end thereof and causing, upon pressure applied to a portion thereof exteriorly of the casing, the respective tongue to move out of the locking position. 